JERSEYVILLE — A dedication ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday at the city’s new Fitness Court in Jerseyville’s Lions Club Park.
City officials and representatives of the National Fitness Campaign will celebrate the construction of the recreational facility at the corner of North Jefferson and East Spruce streets. The free facility features seven training zones as well as a supporting mobile app called “Fitness Court” available for both iOS and Android phones with what is described as a “coach-in-your-pocket”-style platform adaptable for all fitness levels.
Others scheduled to attend include representatives from the Jerseyville Parks and Recreation Department, Jersey Community School District and Jersey Community Hospital and Wellness Center. Trained ambassadors from the Wellness Center will be on hand to answer questions about complex.
“We’re trying to transform Lions Club Park,” said Kevin Stork, Jerseyville commissioner of accounts and finance. “In coming out of COVID, we’re also trying to find ways to engage the community in outdoor activities as a means to further that transformation while promoting public wellness.”
Stork engaged with Zach Crawford, Jerseyville commissioner of public property, found that only a handful of Illinois communities had a fitness court. Last year the city applied for and received a $25,000 grant from NFC and the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association to bring the concept to Jerseyville. Additional funding for the project was made possible through a partnership of city funds and private sponsors.
“I think this is a great investment for the health and wellness of our community,” Crawford said. “We remain committed to being proactive and progressive in making quality of life improvements with both our parks and citywide, and this project is a great launching point for our long-term plans.”
Those plans include a multi-phase project to transform the Lions Club Park and the adjoining Wittman Park into a complex supporting health and wellness as well as arts and entertainment.
